Reborn in the 80s: My Whole Family Secretly Hears My Thoughts and Goes Wild with Success! - Chapter 125

Hou Haihua, the chief editor, was just two years away from retirement.

Generally, the next chief editor would be selected from among the deputy editors. There were usually three paths: one depended on the current chief editor’s recommendation, another on the deputy editors’ popularity, which required a vote, and the last involved higher-level intervention—where those with significant influence could directly appoint or remove someone.

The National Capital News was a relatively small newspaper office, so it only had two deputy editors.

One was very shrewd, while the other was an easygoing, always-smiling nice guy.

Hou Haihua leaned towards the shrewd one, Wei Liang. During his hospital stay, Hou had entrusted all manuscript review and layout tasks to Wei Liang.

Wei Liang was not only sharp but also ambitious. He wanted to expand the circulation of National Capital News under his leadership, making it widely known— ideally, on par with National Capital Daily.

But the current situation was that National Capital News couldn’t even compare to National Capital Evening News, selling only about a hundred copies a day.

Tian Man’s report had sparked significant public attention, causing a surge in sales for National Capital Evening News. Wei Liang watched with envy, so he arranged to meet Cao Yuejin.

Wei Liang had originally worked at National Capital Evening News but was transferred to National Capital News after its establishment.

Wei Liang could be considered Tian Man and Cao Yuejin’s senior, as all three had been mentored by the same teacher. They visited their teacher together during holidays, and after several meetings, Cao and Wei became familiar, occasionally meeting for drinks and exchanging information.

For journalists, “exclusive report” always carried significant weight.

National Capital News was small, with few reporters. They often weren’t qualified to cover major stories and had to make do with minor news—like a missing monkey at the zoo or a thief caught on a bus.

Wei Liang asked Cao Yuejin to tip him off if any news came up, while Cao was already planning his escape route.

National Capital Evening News had an unwritten rule: the second team leader would remain in that position for life, while the first team leader would eventually become deputy editor.

Cao Yuejin wasn’t content with being a team leader forever. He wanted to become deputy editor and, one day, even chief editor.

He stayed close to Wei Liang, planning to jump to National Capital News if he couldn’t advance at National Capital Evening News.

Sensing Wei Liang’s desire to boost sales, Cao claimed he had a solution—and so, his first article was published.

Wei Liang, blinded by his eagerness for quick success, approved and published the piece despite knowing Cao was distorting the truth.

Admittedly, National Capital News saw a slight increase in circulation, which led to Cao’s second article.

Even before Cao’s first article was published, Wei Liang had promised to bring him over from National Capital Evening News if the results were good. He also vowed to promote Cao to deputy editor once he became chief editor.

Believing the matter was settled, Cao resigned outright.

When Hou Haihua saw Cao’s two articles in the hospital, he was furious. After hearing what Hou Haiping had to say, his first action upon returning to the office was to reprimand Wei Liang severely.

Wei Liang, now fighting to save his own position, no longer dared to support Cao.

But Cao remained unaware that his plans had fallen through. He still daydreamed about how impressive he would be as deputy editor.

He imagined flaunting his success to Tian Man, making sure she knew she would never measure up to him.

“Lao Cao, help me with these, quick!”

Cao Yuejin’s wife, Cai Erfeng, called out to him from the doorway after returning from grocery shopping. Cao glanced at her but didn’t move, instead snapping, “Can’t you handle such trivial things? Why all the shouting? Are you trying to let everyone know I’m not at work?”

Cai Erfeng seemed accustomed to this. She struggled to carry everything inside and asked timidly, “Lao Cao, why aren’t you at work again?”

“None of your business! Just clean the house and cook—stay out of things you don’t understand. Even if I told you, what would you know? You’re just a housewife who stays home all day.”

“Why did you buy so much? Do you think money grows on trees? No wonder the household allowance I give you every month is never enough. With your wasteful spending, no amount would be sufficient.”

Cai Erfeng was委屈 (wronged): “I…”

“You what? Go on, get out of my sight. I can’t stand looking at you.”

Cao waved his hand dismissively and stood up to leave. Just as he reached the door, investigators arrived: “Hello, are you Comrade Cao Yuejin?”

“Yes, that’s me. Who are you?”

The investigators showed their credentials: “Comrade Cao Yuejin, please come with us.”

Cai Erfeng anxiously asked, “Lao Cao, what’s going on?”

“It’s nothing!”

Cao glared at her, went inside to grab a jacket, and left with the investigators.

He wracked his brain but couldn’t think of any reason for an investigation. He assumed it was related to Wei Liang’s promise to bring him to National Capital News. But the moment he saw Tian Man, a sense of dread washed over him.

“Cao Yuejin, did you write these two articles?” Qian Chunyang asked directly.

Cao instinctively wanted to deny it, but Qian warned him, “Cao Yuejin, it’s best to answer honestly. If we find out otherwise, you’ll only make things worse for yourself.”

“Wrong? What did I do wrong?”

Cao turned and pointed at Tian Man: “Did she say something about me?”

“Tian Man, when will you stop? First, you complained to the chief editor, and now you’re spreading rumors everywhere! I’m warning you—you’d better watch your step. I…”

“Cao Yuejin, do you have any idea where you are?” Qian Chunyang slammed the table.

Cao immediately shrank back like a turtle—aggressive one moment, retreating into its shell the next: “Sir, I’ve been wronged!”

“Whatever she said, don’t believe her. She’s just jealous of me.”

“Cao Yuejin, stop evading the question. I’m asking you: did you write these two articles?”

Cao nodded repeatedly: “Yes, yes—but Wei Liang told me to write them.”

Better to sacrifice someone else than yourself. At a time like this, shifting blame was the natural choice.

“Did you even investigate the truth? Do you remember you’re a journalist? It seems you’ve forgotten completely—not a trace left! You didn’t even dare use your real name. You knew you were spouting nonsense!”

Qian Chunyang’s voice grew louder with each sentence, clearly outraged by Cao’s actions.

As a veteran newsman, he held strong convictions about journalism and would not allow anyone to tarnish or trample on the profession!

Frustrated, Cao tried to drag Tian Man down with him: “Sir, she’s also spreading nonsense! She didn’t investigate either. What she wrote isn’t the truth either!”

“Sir, here are my interview records.”

Tian Man took out a notebook, opened it, and handed it to Qian Chunyang.